The Roundhouse music venue in Camden has issued a profound apology after "highly offensive" and allegedly antisemitic imagery was projected onto the stage during a Primal Scream concert earlier this week. Managers of the iconic North London venue said the graphics were displayed "entirely without our knowledge" and stand "against all of our values."
The controversy erupted after Primal Scream performed their 2000 track "Swastika Eyes." Video footage shown in the backdrop, as reported to the police by the Community Security Trust (CST), appeared to show the Star of David entwined with a swastika, notably in the eyes of an image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The screen also displayed slogans like "stop genocide," "free Palestine," and "our government is complicit."
In a statement, the Roundhouse expressed deep regret, saying they were "appalled" and unequivocally apologised to attendees and the wider Jewish community. "Acts of hatred, discrimination or prejudice of any kind are entirely unacceptable and have no place in our community or spaces. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community," a spokesperson affirmed.
Primal Scream later posted a statement on Instagram referring to an unspecified film as "a piece of art" that "draws on history" to question the actions of current world governments. The band stated it was "meant to provide debate, not hate," and defended their right to freedom of expression.
The CST, which reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police, strongly condemned the imagery. A spokesperson stated that "entwining a Star of David with a swastika implies that Jews are Nazis and risks encouraging hatred of Jews." Similarly, the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism called the images "absolutely sickening and totally inexcusable," labelling them "unadulterated hatred" rather than art or a political statement.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they received a report on the matter and that the video is currently "being assessed by officers" to determine whether a criminal offence has been committed.
